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One of the main limitations of the OPPO R1 was the fact that it had rather outdated hardware with the most notable missing tech spec being 4G LTE support. OPPO has seen fit to change this by announcing the OPPO R1S. This refreshed smartphone retains the same look and feel as the OPPO R1 but refreshes the tech specs and hardware with a 1.6GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP rear camera, replacing the Mediatek processor, 1GB of RAM and 8MP rear camera of the OPPO R1. Set for a China release date on 25 April 2014, we expect it to be priced higher than the RM1298 the OPPO R1 is priced at in Malaysia. It also marks the sign of things to come, perhaps with more 4G LTE enabled OPPO devices like the OPPO N1S perhaps. No news on Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet but stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.

Samsung Malaysia have officially announced their tiny but mighty digital camera, the Samsung NX mini SMART camera which not only offers interchangeable lens, but does so in the slimmest and lightest body to date. With the body weighing in at just 158g the NX mini is super slim at 22.5mm thin but packs in a classy metal and leather exterior. The camera is available in black, brown, mint green, pink and white and is compatible with 3 Samsung NX mini lenses while also being able to use Samsung NX lenses with an NX-M Mount adapter. Tech specs for the Samsung NX mini SMART camera include a 20.5MP camera sensor, 3-inch flip-up and touch LCD screen, built-in flash, up to 12800 ISO, NFC, WiFi, 1920 x 1080 at 30p video recording and the ability to capture RAWs at 20.0M. The camera uses MicroSD, MicroSDHC, MicroSDXC and has a 2330 mAh battery for long lasting performance.

Most smartwatches are small screen devices that act little better than companion bluetooth devices. They won't work without a smartphone except perhaps track fitness related things. The Rufus Cuff smartwatch on the other hand is similar but with a long and wide 3-inch screen it is anything but small. Designed to work as a wrist communicator, the device is practically a wi-fi tablet for your wrist and comes with tech specs and features that include a GPS, Texas Instruments Cortex A8 ARM processor, 3-inch touchscreen with 400 x 240 resolution, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage and a 1000 mAh battery.

While it may be one of the most affordable smartphones around, the Motorola Moto G has one large shortcoming in that it can't support LTE. However this may change as rumours indicate a Moto G LTE and Moto G Ferrari could be coming soon. Tech specs for the Moto G LTE should not differ too much from the Moto G but it could see a higher pricing of $260 (RM844) with a possible release date in Mexico sometime in June 2014. The Motorola Moto G Ferrari on the other hand could just be a Moto G with Ferrari colours (red and black) and branding but this should be cool as well.

DiGi is now running roadshows this weekend at couple of places where they are offering the Samsung Galaxy S5 for RM999. You have to sign up for DG Smart Plan 108 & a supplementary line in order to enjoy it. For standard DG Smart Plan 108 alone, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is normally offered at RM1,399. It is RM400 off provided if you get an extra sub-line under your account.

The upcoming successor to the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom which was earlier thought to be called the Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom could be called the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom with camera samples of the cameraphone already appearing. The EXIF data in the picture states that the device has the model number of Samsung SM-C115. It also reveals tech specs like a 20MP camera sensor at a 4:3 aspect ratio along with 4mm focal length, f/3.1 aperture, 1/50s shutter speed and ISO 80. Unconfirmed tech specs and features include a 10x optical zoom and a zoom lens that doesn't stick out so much along with xenon flash, a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED screen and a hexa-core Samsung Exynos processor. Said to be coming with Android 4.4.2 KitKat, the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom could be coming as early as 29 April 2014 at the Kapture the Moment event in Singapore. No news yet on Malaysia pricing or release dates but we'll keep you posted.

While many of the other major Malaysia telcos have already come up with their Samsung Galaxy S5 bundle plans, U Mobile has only just started with a teaser ad. However, the teaser ad from U Mobile offers the Samsung Galaxy S5 with no upfront payment, something which could be tempting for those who just want to pay the subsidized price. In our experience this means that the subsidized price isn't as low as that offered by some of the other telcos but anything lower than the current retail price of RM2399 is a good thing we think. The teaser ad doesn't reveal any other details except that it will be available at U Mobile stores on 25 April 2014 so set that date free on your calendar should you be waiting for a Samsung Galaxy S5 from U Mobile.

The OPPO Find 7a is one of the latest smartphones to come from Oppo with top-end tech specs and features. OPPO Malaysia are now offering the OPPO Find 7a for RM1598 on pre-order. The pre-order period is from 16 April 2014 to 11 May 2014 with the Malaysia release date set at 15 May 2014. The first 500 pre-order will get an additional gift of a bluetooth speaker, screen protector and phone casing worth RM258.

The ASUS ZenFone smartphone range caught our attention when it was first announced at CES 2014 due to it's design, price and performance. Now ASUS already have several smartphone devices in the market, but the ASUS ZenFone smartphone range look to be the first to seriously target the entry-level to midrange market with it's focus on price and performance. Rather than go for a Malaysia launch, ASUS Malaysia were kind enough to invite us for the ASUS Regional launch where the ASUS ZenFone 4, ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 smartphones were announced each for below RM1000. Check out the tech specs below for a refresher of the ASUS ZenFone 4, ASUS ZenFone 5 and ASUS ZenFone 6:

• ASUS ZenFone 4
• 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2520 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 4GB storage + microSD
• 4-inch TN TFT
• 5MP rear camera
• 124.4 x 61.4 x 11.2mm | 115g
• supports Dual-SIM, 3G, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, MicroUSB
• 1170 mAh battery

In time with their launch of the Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Malaysia provided 55 selected buyers of the new Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone with special gifts worth RM200. The 55 fans were selected from five locations as previously reported. These locations included:

• Celcom Blue Cube at the Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall
• Digi Concept Store at the Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall
• Maxis Centre at Suria KLCC
• Samsung Experience Store at The Gardens Mall
• Samsung Experience Store at the Gurney Paragon Mall Penang